Dredge-chuck



(No Model.)

J.H.TURNER.'

DREDGE CHUCK.

No. 443,805. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

WITNESSES: NTOR:

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ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT QEETCE.

JAMES H. TURNER, OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND.

DREDGE CHUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,805, dated December 30, 1890.

Application filed August 22, 1890. Serial No. 362,723. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. TURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Dorchesterand State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredge-Chucks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in friction-rollers for the ropes of oysterdredges, and is a device used on oyster-boats which is commonly called a dredge-chuck.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of part of a boat, and shows the improved chuck in position. Fig. 2 is a side view of the dredge-chuck alone. Fig.3 is a top view of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the top part of the frame and roller. Fig. 5 is a top view of the roller. Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the frame which supports the roller.

In oyster-dredging with a boat the dredge or rake is dragged on the bottom of the river or other body of water by a rope A, which is wound on a Windlass (not shown) mounted on the deck of the boat 0. The rope A travels over the side of the vessel and against a vertical conical roller having its larger end at the top, which is provided with a flange h. This roller B has its journals in a frame D, which consists of a vertical supporting-plate a, having integral with it an upper and a lower horizontal arm I) and c. The upper arm 1) forms the top bearing for the said roller B, and has a pivoted pawl d to engage radial ratchet-grooves e in the top of the roller. By this construction the roller is free to turn only one way, which is in the direction the rope A moves when the dredge isbeing raised. The lower arm 0 of the frame forms the lower bearing for the roller B. This frame is 10- cated on the outside of the vessel,.and its vertical portion is provided with a lateral extension or flange having a series of holes f, and adapted to be placed against the side of the vessel, and secured thereto by suitable bolts running through said holes. The frame can thus be adjusted vertically to different positions. The upper end of the frame has a hole or socket g, into which the pin of an oar-lock may be placed when it is desired to propel the vessel by oars. It will now be seen that when the vessel is moving forward and the dredge is in the water the ropeA will draw against the vertical conical roller B.

A horizontal friction-roller is commonly mounted at the gunwale, over which the rope A is paid out or drawn in.

By having the revolution of the vertical roller controlled by a pawl said roller will be prevented from turning when the rope A is paid out. Thus the roller remains stationary and the rope will slide over the roller and will not leap off as it does when the roller is allowed to revolve.

Having described my invention, I claim- The combination of a vertical supportingplate provided with holes and having integral with it a horizontal arm at its upper end and a horizontal arm at its lower end, a vertical roller having its bearings in the said two arms of the plate and provided at its upper end with a flange 6 and on top with ratchet-grooves, and a pawl on the said upper arm to engage the ratchet-grooves, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aftix' my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. TURNER.

Vitnesses:

WALTER J. HERRMANN, J NO. T. MADDOX. 

